It’s no accident that the former British Lions captain and hot jock (revealing photos below), who came out to international headlines and played a key role in getting the Bingham Cup to Manchester, was chosen for the annual issue. Sure, sure. It’s the London Olympics and all, but it doesn’t hurt that the issue will be on stands when an expected 100,000 gay sports fans, according to organizers, will be in Britain for the June 1-3 tournament, too.

“I’m passionate that anyone, regardless of their background, should be able to play rugby,” Thomas says in an audio interview in advance of the tournament. “Events such as the Bingham Cup help break down barriers and bring more people into our great sport.”

Press play below on Thomas’ full interview courtesy Gaydar, the Cup’s chief sponsor, about the tournament, coming out as a pro athlete and the importance of gay players in sports. Then click through the teasers from the Attitude magazine spread, which benefits HIV/AIDS charity.

As for the competition, the Bucks found tough going at the biennial Bingham Cup in 2010, but won the mid-tier Bowl division in 2008. That year, they received their trophy from Alice Hoagland, the mom of gay rugby player Mark Bingham, who the tournament is named for. He died as one of the 9/11 heroes that thwarted terrorists on Flight 93 that crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

Facebook Conversations

The Latest

Joel Kim Booster made his late-night debut on Conan, has been on Logo’s Comedy Cabaret, and his Comedy Central stand-up spcial drops like pants in a sex club Oct. 20. He's in Atlanta this week. READ MORE »

Georgia Equality endorsed a batch of candidates in municipal races across Atlanta, reaffirming its support for Cathy Woolard's mayoral run and supporting some – but not all – LGBT candidates on the ballot. READ MORE »